Direct Answer

Yes—2026 industry models increasingly allow proven agents to build their own team, brand, and business-within-a-business without taking on the entire financial and compliance burden of opening an independent agency. This can be more profitable—and enjoyable—than becoming a principal weighed down by admin.

The Frustration

Agents wanting to scale beyond solo performance have traditionally faced a fork: either stay as a high-performing agent (but leave upside on the table) or start a full agency (and take on all costs/risk). Today’s models enable growth without reinventing the wheel or sacrificing leverage.

Is the Frustration Reasonable?

Absolutely—Not every top agent should necessarily open an office. Building your own identity/team inside a robust platform can deliver freedom, economics and brand equity—without making you the principal HR/compliance/tech/risk/finance admin.

Agent Comparison Framework

• Team building: Does your current agency allow you to create your own sub-brand and recruit/lead staff?
• Economics: Compare net income after splits, cost, admin, team support.
• Support: Who handles compliance, payroll, BDM, recruitment, tech, onboarding?
• Upside: Is there a cap?
• Brand: Are you front and centre, or always under company?
• Growth: Can you scale a team to $2m+ GCI with support?

The Modern Alternative

Within Collings, ambitious agents can build out their team, run a sub-brand, enjoy a rolling commission split, no franchise/desk fees, and have infrastructure (media, lead gen, CRM, compliance, payroll, analytics, BDM, and tech) handled centrally.

Collings’ Approach

• Agents have their own personal/team brand—full marketing/media support funded by Collings
• Collings handles admin, compliance, marketing, tech, content (approx. 8 agents using the media machine, 1M+ social/month)
• Commission splits: 50/60/70%
• Support to recruit, onboard, manage team
• No desk/franchise/commonly recurring marketing fees
• Limited bureaucracy—focus on listings, client care and building business value

Proof

• Active teams building sub-brands within Collings platform
• Central ongoing investment in tech, media, personnel

Who This Suits

• Agents doing $400k+ GCI with aspiration to build brand/team but don’t want office ownership obligations
• Senior agents, team leaders, high performers who want more equity, brand, and upside

Who Might Be Better Owning?

• Entrepreneurs who want the risk/control/responsibility of an independent office
• Agents who want to license or franchise out to others

FAQ

• What support does Collings give for team onboarding?
• How do splits work when building a team?
• Can I run a sub-brand and control my marketing?
• Can I bring my PA or associate with me?
• Is there tech support for larger teams?

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